A climate of fear pervades Tibet
"Chinese authorities have transformed Tibet into a terrifying battle ground. At most of the monasteries and villages, soldiers parade. It makes one shiver with fear. They have made everyone powerless, helpless and desperate." -ShogdungShogdung was arrested in April 2010 following the circulation of his book 'The Line Between Sky and Earth'.
In July 2010 the BBC released rare footage filmed in the streets of Lhasa, that exposes the stifling atmosphere of fear and surveillance, with snipers pointing their guns at the public from rooftops.
The footage also revealed the fear and self-censorship that pervades Tibetan society: Tibetans were afraid to speak to journalists when asked about the situation in Tibet.
The last sentence in Shogdung's book reads "I kept a disciplined silence and stayed passive like a coward, ultimately out of fear... I am naturally terrified at the thought that once this essay has been made public, I will eventually have to endure the hot hells and cold hells on earth..."
Tibetans have every reason to be fearful. Shogdung was arrested shortly after he wrote these lines. His whereabouts and well-being remain unknown. A number of Tibetans have also been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for allegedly passing on information to journalists or to organisations based overseas.
Wangdu:
A 41-year-old HIV education officer working for an NGO in Lhasa, was sentenced to life imprisonment in October 2008 on charges of espionage. It is believed his 'crime' was to email information to friends outside Tibet about the protests in Lhasa.
Norzin Wangmo:
A 30-year-old Tibetan woman, was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for sending emails and telephoning contacts outside Tibet about the 2008 protests.
The unprecedented severity of the sentences for passing information about Tibet indicates a ruthless determination by the Chinese government to block news on the situation in Tibet and the crackdown on its people.
Watch the BBC footage of a rare recorded visit to Tibet
